Just off Stadium Boulevard in Columbia sits Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, a pretty standard hospital building with an incredible task. This hospital treats nearly 40,000 patients every year, spanning over 40 counties in Missouri, a handful in Illinois, as well as people from across the nation needing specialized care. But this number really should be higher. Not because the VA isn’t doing a good job necessarily, in fact by most accounts, our local VA Hospital is arguably among the best in the nation. But because we live in a world where we have veterans that cannot afford to make it to Columbia for treatment.
In some cases, it is a matter of housing. Many of our veterans need assistance with their travel, and their family that takes them to appointments will not be able to stay in the hospital with them. It often happens that this means a veteran may go without the care they deserve because of the costs associated with an overnight (or longer) stay in Columbia, or at the very least, are left alone while their family is forced to commute. What a shame. But a group of dedicated individuals have been working towards a solution.
Friends of Mid-Missouri Fisher House, Inc. was formed last year to lead the charge in engaging the community and bringing a Fisher House to Columbia. Fisher Houses, built by the national Fisher House Foundation, are places where veterans and/or their families can receive no-cost, temporary housing while receiving care at Truman VA. With the mindset that, “a family’s LOVE is the best medicine”, Fisher Houses are a place of healing and hope for families across the country and beyond. With over 80 Fisher Houses now operating at VA and Department of Defense installations, this represents of $450 Million in saved housing costs since 1990.
Our local Fisher House organization is working hard to raise awareness and funds to get this house built! Through community outreach and speaking arrangements, Board Chair Stephen Gaither is evangelizing mid-Missouri to support the Fisher House at a local level. While the house will be in Columbia, on the VA campus, it will serve veterans and families all across Missouri as they need treatment. Reaching these outlying areas is of particular importance as they will be the ones using this facility and should feel a strong sense of involvement in the process.
Last February, the organization held their first major fundraiser, a wonderful trivia night event with nearly 150 people in attendance and over $10,000 raised. The outpouring of local support was reassuring and provided a fuel to drive the organization to forge new relationships and get organized. Future events are being planned, as well as partnerships with other organizations and groups to raise funds and awareness.
The Board of the Fisher House is always looking for opportunities. To speak, to share, and to educate. If you have a group that needs a speaker, reach out to news@midmofisherhouse.org and someone will be happy to schedule with you. You can learn more about the organization on Facebook or at www.midmofisherhouse.org and can even donate online.